Ignition adjustment device

ABSTRACT

An adaptive mechanism for permitting ignition adjustment during engine operation including an annular plate removably securable about the entrance to the ignition distributor cap having an opening therein, a shaft having a shoulder thereabout rotably mounted to the plate and disposed within the opening of the plate, a plurality of neon lamps mounted adjacent the periphery of the plate with at least one electrical contact per lamp extending toward the distributor cap, a rotor arm electrically connected to the high voltage output of the ignition coil and fixed disposed on the shaft of the disc in an electrically insulated fashion, the unmounted end of the rotor arm having an electrical conductor thereon in electrical communication with the electrical conductor of the distributor rotor and being arranged to form individual spark gaps with the lamp contacts as the shaft is rotated and a shaft means having a shoulder thereabout rotatably coupling the shaft to the distributor shaft which is, in turn, coupled to the engine cam shaft for synchronous rotation therewith.

United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,906,917 Lorti Sept. 23, 1975 i 1 IGNITION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE [57] ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Daniel r [762.] Irvine Blvd-1 An adaptive mechanism for permitting ignition adjust- Su'te h'vme, 92680 ment during engine operation including an annular [22] Filed; 29, 1974 plate removably securablc about the entrance to the ignition distributor cap having an opening therein. a [2 Appl- N05 501,595 shaft having a shoulder thereabout rotably mounted to the plate and disposed within the opening of the plate, 52 US. Cl. 123/1465 A; 200/31 R; 324/16 T a plurality of "@011 lamps mounted adjacsm the P 51 1m. 01. F02? 17/00 riphery the Plate with at least one electrical Contact [58] Field f searchw 123/1465 A, 1 17 R, 198 R; per lamp extending toward the distributor cap, a rotor 200/19 R 24, 31 73/118; 324/16 T arm electrically connected to the high voltage output of the ignition coil and fixed disposed on the shaft of [56] References Cited the disc in an electrically insulated fashion, the un UNITED STATES PATENTS mounted end of the rotor arm having an electrical conductor thereon in electrical communication with X469*440 10/1923 Lockwood 23/1465 A the electrical conductor of the distributor rotor and 2944,122 7/1960 Thed1ck 200/31 R being arranged to form individual Spark gaps with the 3,463,l34 8/1969 Zechnall et al. ZOO/l9 R 3613653 10/1971 Irvin et aL H 123/1465 A lamp contacts as the shaft 1s rotated and a shaft means 3,693,148 9/1972 Pittman 324/16 T having a Shoulder thereabout rmatably Coupling the Primary ExaminerWendell E. Burns Assistant ExaminerJames Winthrop Cranson, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gilbert A. Thomas shaft to the distributor shaft which is, in turn, coupled to the engine cam shaft for synchronous rotation therewith.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures IGNITION ADJUSTMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention lies in the field of devices which permit the adjustment the ignition system during the operation of the engine and for simultaniously providing an indication of ignition timing.

27 Description of the Prior Art The ignition distributor for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers is a device for directing electrical current from the ignition coil to the spark plugs in accordance with the firing sequence of the spark plugs.

Basically, such a system typically comprises a distrib utor housing, a pair of ignition breaker points electrically connected in series with the primary of the ignition coil and typically having a condenser electrically connected thercacross, a cam driven synchronously with the engine camshaft for opening and closing the breaker points, a distributor cap for receiving electrical energy from the secondary of the ignition coil and delivering it to a distributor rotor driven synchronously with the engine camshaft and also for receiving the electrical energy from the rotor and routing it to the appropriate spark plug via the ignition wiring coupling the spark plug and the distributor capv Inside the distributor housing a longitudinal shaft is located which is typically referred to as the distributor shaft, and whose lower end is connected to a drive pinion in the engine block. The distributor shaft is rotated in synchronism with and at the same speed as the engine camshaft. The other end of the distributor shaft carries a cam, which by means of a cam following member connected to one of the arms on which the breaker points are mounted, causes the breaker points to periodically open and close. The distributor rotor is fixedly mounted to the top on the cam-carrying end of the distributor shaft, which is typically constructed of an electrically non-conductive material, and through which an electrode passes. Another function which the distributor cap performs is that of providing a cover for the distributor shaft and breaker points which are disposed within the distributor housing. Located at the center portion of the distributor cap is a carbon brush member through which electric current is passed to the distributor rotor. About the inside periphery of the distributor cap are arranged a number of tungsten electrodes, one for each cylinder of the engine. The electrodes are arranged so that the rotating distributor rotor is always coupled to one of the electrodes when the breaker points are opened to interrupt the current flowing in the primary winding of the ignition coil. When the points open, the electric field about the primary winding of the ignition coil collapses, thereby causing a high voltage to be induced in the secondary winding of the ignition coil. This high voltage electrical energy is delivered to a receptacle of the distributor cap through an interconnecting wire to the rotor and thence to the appropriate spark plug for igniting the fuel air mixture in the particular combustion chamber. The high voltage is produced basically as follows. When the breaker points are closed, electric current flows through the breaker points and into the primary winding of the ignition coil, creating a magnetic field about the primary winding which also encompasses the secondary winding of the ignition coil. The period of time that the breaker points remain closed is referred to as point dwell time, However, because it is generally more convenient to measure the angle traversed by the distributor cam during which the points remain closed, this period of time may be determined indirectly by measuring this angle, and, hence, the term dwell angle is also to indicate the period of point contact closure. When the breaker points are opened by the distributor cam, the flow of electric current through the primary winding which creates a magnetic field about both the primary and secondary winding of the ignition coil is interrupted thereby causing the magnetic field to start collapsing. As the magnetic field collapses, the magnetic flux lines forming the magnetic field cross the individual wires forming the coil of the secondary winding thereby generating a voltage therein. The voltage produced in the secondary is determined by the ratio of the number of turns in the secondary coil to the number of turns in the primary coil multiplied by the voltage appearing across the primary coil. For example, in modern automotive non-electronic ignition systems, the coil will amplify the primary winding voltage, generally 12 volts, about 2,000 times, thereby producing a voltage of 24,000 volts across the secondary winding. This high voltage from the secondary winding is delivered to the distributor cap, and subseqently passes through a carbon post member which is electrically connected to the distributor rotor. This high voltage is generated when the distributor rotor is properly aligned with a spark-receiving electrode peripherially disposed within the distributor cap housing, causing a spark to jump across the gap between the tip of the electrical conductor of the rotor and the electrode. From the electrode, it is delivered through a wire which provides an electrical path to the appropriate spark plug, producing, in turn, a spark across the spark plug gap. The spark ignites the fuel air mixture disposed within the combustion chamber of the engine causing the engine to be driven. Of course, it should be noted that for maximum engine efficiency, the high voltage impressed across the spark plug must be of a certain minimum value and be delivered to the spark plug at the proper point in time relative to the compression of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber.

Recalling that in a conventional engine ignition system the amount of time the breaker points remain closed, is typically referred to as the dwell time or dwell angle of the breaker points, and determines the magnitude of the high voltage delivered to the spark plug, it is necessary to adjust the points for the proper amount of dwell to insure that the desired high voltage is produced.

Further, since it is necessary to deliver the high voltage to the spark plug at the proper time in relation to the compression of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber, the time of ignition must also be adjusted to insure maximum engine efficiency. This adjustment of ignition timing is commonly referred to simply as timing."

One method for adjusting the dwell angle of the breaker points involves the following procedure with the engine stopped:

I. The distributor cap and rotor are removed from the distributor housing;

2. A breaker points dwell measuring device, typically known as a dwell meter, is connected to measure the dwell angle of the breaker points;

3. The distributor shaft is rotated to bring one of the distributor cams high points into alignment with the cam-following member on one of the arms of the breaker points. This is accomplished by cranking the engine with the battery.

4. The breaker points spacing is set by using an approriate feeler or thickness guage;

5. The rotor and distributor cap are then replaced;

6. The engine is started; and

7. The dwell angle of the breaker points is then read on the dwell meter. If the dwell reading is incorrect per the engine specifications, the entire procedure must be repeated again. As a result, this method is characterized by trial-and-error and is, obviously, timeconsuming.

Another method for adjusting the dwell angle of the breaker points is performed as follows with the engine stopped:

I. The distributor cap and rotor are removed;

2. The dwell meter is connected to measure the dwell angle of the breaker points;

3. The distributor shaft is then rotated by cranking the engine over and over with the battery;

4. The dwell angle is determined by the reading the dwell meter;

5. The breaker points are then adjusted for the proper dwell angle;

6. The engine cranking is halted;

7. The rotor and distributor cap are replaced;

8. The engine is started;

9. The dwell meter is then once again read to insure that the dwell has been adjusted accurately.

Once the breaker points dwell angle is properly set using either of the previously mentioned methods, the ignition timing must then be adjusted so that the high voltage spark is delivered to the spark plug at the proper time. Adjustment of the ignition timing is typically accomplished in the following manner:

I. The distributor housing, to which the distributor cap is fixedly mounted and which is held in fixed relationship to the engine block by a relievable clamping mechanism, is unclamped to permit manual rotation thereof about the distributor shaft;

2. One of the spark plug ignition wire is then coupled to the input of a strobe light;

3. The engine is started;

4. The light from the strobe light is then directed to illuminate the numbered notches on the outer rim of the external engine pulley or flywheel;

5. The distributor housing is then rotated until the appropriate numbered notch appears to remain stationary with reference to a pointer fixedly mounted to the engine block. When this occurs, the ignition spark is being delivered to the spark plug at the proper time;

6. The distributor housing is then reclamped.

Obviously, there are many problems associated with the aforementioned ignition adjustment methods for setting dwell angle and for adjusting ignition timing. For example, both methods, because of their trial-anderror nature, typically involve using the procedures more than once to properly adjust or set" the dwell angle. In addition, the engine cannot be running during the breaker point adjustment point process. It should be noted also that since the battery must crank the engine frequently during either of the adjustment procedures, and the battery will quickly run down" because the battery is under a very heavy electrical drain during the engine cranking period. Also, in order to use these prior art methods, the distributor cap and rotor must be removed and replaced more than once during the adjustment process. Further, the dwell adjustments cannot be made while the engine is operation. Additionally. the dwell angle of the breaker points must be set prior to adjusting the ignition timing.

In any event, the methods are cumbersome and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The present invention is a device for operatively displacing an ignition distributor cap and rotor away from the ignition distributor shaft to permit the adjustment of point dwell during engine operation and may include indication means for simultaneously providing an indication of engine ignition timing. The present device includes an annular plate removably securable to the ignition cap about the entrance thereinto, a circular disc rotably disposed within the aperture of the annular plate and having a fixed central shaft fixedly mounted therein, a circular disc rotably disposed within the aperture of the annular plate and having a fixed central shaft fixedly mounted therein, a plurality of neon lamps mounted adjacent the periphery of the plate with at least one electrical contact per lamp extending towards the distributor cap, a rotor arm electrically connected to the high voltage output of the ignition coil and fixedly disposed on the shaft of the disc in an electrically insulated fashion, the unmounted end of the rotor arm being arranged to form individual spark plug gaps with the lamp contacts as the disc and shaft are rotated and a shaft means rotatably coupled to the shaft of the disc to the distributor shaft coupled to the engine cam shaft so that the distributor shaft is rotated in synchronous rclationship therewith.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for operatively displacing the ignition distributor cap and rotor away from the ignition distributor shaft to permit the adjustment of point dwell during engine operation simultaneously with the providing of an indication of engine ignition timing.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a device for simultaneously adjusting timing and point dwell without over discharging the battery.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a device which will significantly reduce the amount of time consumed in performing said aforementioned adjustments.

A still further important object of the present invention is to provide a means whereby the ignition system may be easily adjusted to obtain optimum engine performance.

Other characteristics, advantages and objects of this invention can be more readily appreciated from the following description and appended claims. When taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this description forms a part of the specification wherein like references and characters designate corresponding parts in several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a exploded assembly view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIONOF' THE" PREFER ED t I EMBODIMENT With referencev now to. FIG. 1, the present invention, generally indicated at and shown in an exploded assembly fashion, is anadaptive meehanismfor implementing the adjustment of an ignition system for, aninternalcombustion enginehaving aplurality of spark plug ignited.combustion chambers operativcly disposing the distributor cap androtor away from the distributor shaft and ignition coil breakerpoints. Fundamentally, thc adaptive mcchanism lQ allows the ignition system to be adjusted while the engine isirunning and includes a plate 11 with an opening ,l2 therein, a shaft means, generally indicated at I 13, rotatably mounted to the plate 11 within the opening 1 2,-and a coupling means,,generall,y indieatedat 14, for interconnecting the shaft means l3 toadistributq! shaft 15. Additionally, kilovoltage and distributor rotor position indication means, generally indicated atlmma be eluded therewith as may be required by the nature and the extent of the aforementionedignition system ad justment. I I 1 With particular reference now to both FIGS. 1 and 2 a pair of oppositely-disposed spring clip fastening members 17 are shown hingedly mount ed to theperiphery of plate 11. Both the purpose and function of the fastening members 17 will become apparent as the description of the present invention proeeeds her einafterwards. v v v I f Turning now to the shaft means l3,"it may be seen, as shown and illustrated in the drawings, that shaft means 13 typ ieallyincludes a post rnernb er l8with an annular, outwardlyextending'shoulder 1 9 fixedly secured to the post member 18, and disposed intermediate the ends thereof/The outer rim o f the shoulde ri lSl is mounted to plate 11 ,withinthe opening 12 and is arranged to be freely rotatable withfrespeet thereto so as to form atumtable, generally indicated at 9, therein.

The couplingmeans l4,of the pre sent iny'e'ntion 10 typically: comprises a flexible with a'p air of recept acles 2I fixedly mounted to t he'flexible shaft 20. The receptacles 2 1 are typically of the type well-known in the coupling art which are capable of beingcoupled to a shaft or a post in fixed relationship therewith so that for every degree ofrotatioiof shanbi dst to which the receptacles 21 areeofnnect ed the flexible shaft 20' is caused to be synchronously rotated therewith. The kilovoltage andthe distributor rotor position indicating means 16 includes at least three glow lamps 22, such as neon or argon gas-ion discharge lamps which can be caused to glow in the presence of a relatively high voltage electric field without the necessity of a direct electrical connection thereto, mounted to plate 11, each glow lamp 22 having at least one electrical conductor 23 extending outwardly from plate 11 and arranged in side-by-side relationship in arcuate fashion and a rotor member 24 having an electrical conductor 25 therein for delivery the high voltage electrical field from the ignition coil (not shown) to the conductors 23. In one embodiment of the present invcntion. the rotor member 24 is fixedly mounted to the post member 18 intermediate plate 11 and the ends of the post member 18. One end of the electrical conductor 25 in the rotor member 24 is perpendicularly disposed to the unmounted end of the rotor member 24. As the rotor member rotates, a portion of the locus generated by the path, of the perpendicularlydisposed portion 33of the electrical conductor 25 is disposed in spaced-apart, substantially parallel relationship to the conductors 23 disposed in -an arcuate plane.

Installation of the present invention with the ignition distribution system is, typically accomplished .in the following manner. The distributor cap 26 is removed from the distributor housing 27 and the distributor rotor 28 is discngagedfrom the distributor shaft 29. The. distributor rotor 28 is rcmovably secured, in fixed relationship therewith, to oneend of the post member 18. The distributor rotor 28 and post'member l8 combination is then directed into the distributor cap 26 and the peripheral portion of the plate 11 is placed inabuttment with the .body of the distributor cap 26 rimming the entrance thereof. The fastener members 17 are brought into engagement with apair of shoulders 30 which are typically incorporated as an integral part of the exterior portion of the distributor cap 26, thereby securely matingthe plate 11 with the distributor cap 26.

Operation of the present invention, for example, to adjust the dwell angle of ignition breaker points, which aremounted within thedistributor housing 27, may now be accomplished while the engine is running. This is so because the breaker points '31 are now accessible for adjustmentwith an adjusting tool, such asa screwdriver; without the need for utilizing the iterative, trialand-error process of starting and stopping the engine which typically characterizes the prior art ignition system adjustment procedures previously described.

In the event that is is desirable to provide an indication of ignition kilovoltage and the position ofthe 'distributorrotor 28'during engine operation relative to a spark plug ignition wire connection in the distributor cap 26, the conductors 23 from the glow lamps 22 are arranged so that one of the conductors 23 is disposed adjacent to one side of a spark-receiving electrode 32 within the'distr'ibutor cap 26, another of the conductors 23 is 'dispos edadja'cent to the other side of the electrode "32 the third conductor 32 is positioned within the plane in which'the post member 18 and the electrode 32 reside so as to be in proper alignment'with theel'ectrocle 23 during the spark-receiving process.

ItshoLild be noted with emphasis at this time,'that the conducto rs '23'dis'posed oneither sideof the electrode 32 are not so closely disposed thereto so as to cause the lamps22to'be excited the electric field when'the electrode 32 receives a spark. On the other hand,the lamp 22 which isattached to conductor 23 which is disposed intermediate the other two conductors 23 will be excited into glowing when the spark is received by the electrode 32.

The kilovoltage and distributor rotor position indication means 16 element of the present invention is particularly useful in adjusting ignition timing. In the event that none of the glow lamps 22 glow while the engine is being started, the distributor housing 27 to which the breaker points 31 are fixedly disposed is rotated first one way, then another, until one of the glow lamps 22 is caused to glow by virtue of the high voltage which is generated by the secondary of the ignition coil when the ignition breaker points 31 are opened. When this occurs, the high voltage is delivered to the electrical conductor 25 of the rotor member 24 via the distributor cap 26. In order for the lamp 22 to glow, the rotor member 24 must be aligned and in electrical communication with the conductor 23 of the lamp 22 which has been excited into glowing. If the glow lamp 22 which is connected to the intermediately disposed conductor 23 is excited, rather then either of the other two lamps 22, then the ignition system is timed properly; that is, the high voltage is now being delivered to the spark plug at the proper time relative to the compressed airfuel mixture in the particular combustion chamber.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbefore described being merely by way of example, and I do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except as defined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. An adaptive mechanism for implementing the adjustment of an ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of spark plug ignited combustion chambers by operatively disposing the dis tributor cap and rotor from the distributor shaft and ignition coil breaker points comprising:

a plate having an opening therein;

attaching means for removably securing said plate in fixed relationship to said distributor cap about the entrance thereto;

shaft means rotatably mounted to said plate within said opening therein, one end of said shaft means being removably coupled to said distributor rotor in fixed relationship therewith; and

coupling means for fixedly interconnecting said shaft means to said distributor shaft for synchronous rotation therewith.

2. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, further comprising kilovoltage and distributor rotor position indication means electrically coupled to said distributor rotor for indicating the position of said distributor rotor at the time when the breaker points are opened.

3. The adaptive mechanism of claim 2, wherein said indication means comprises at least three glow lamps depending from said plate, each of said lamps having at least one electrical conductor extending therefrom towards said distributor cap, said conductor disposed in an arcuate plane in substantial parallelism with said areuate locus generated by the end of said distributor rotor duringrotation thereof, each of said conductors being adjacently disposed in spaced-apart relationship to one of the spark receiving electrodes of said distributor cap, two of said three conductors being laterally displaced from and disposed on opposite sides of said spark-receiving electrode, beyond the range of sufficient electrical communication therewith such that when said spark-receiving electrode receives an electrical spark from said distributor rotor said two lamps are not caused to glow, and the other of said three conductors being disposed intermediate said other conductors and said spark-receiving electrode within the range of sufficient electrical communication therewith such that when said spark-receiving electrode receives an electrical spark from said distributor rotor a sufficient amount of electrical energy is also simultaneously communicated to said intermediately disposed conductors to cause said lamp to glow.

4. The adaptive mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a rotor member fixedly mounted to said shaft means intermediate said plate and said distributor rotor in substantial radial alignment with said distributor rotor, said rotor member having an electrical conductor thereon in electrical communication with the electrical conductor of said distributor rotor, one end of said electrical conductor extending beyond the unmounted end of said rotor member in substantially perpendicular relationship to said end of said rotor member, said rotor member being nearly equal in length to said distributor rotor so that arcuate plane formed by the locus generated by said conductor disposed at the unmounted end of said rotor member during said rotor members rotation is substantially parallel to said arcuate plane in which said lamp conductors lie.

5. The adaptive mechanism of claim 3, wherein the second conductors of said lamps are electrically connected to said plate.

6. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, wherein said shaft means comprises:

a cylindrically shaped rod; and

an annular radially-extending shoulder disposed intermediate the ends of said rod, the rim of said shoulder being rotatably mounted to said plate within said opening therein, to form a turntable.

7. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises:

a flexible shaft;

means for fixedly connecting one end of said flexible shaft to said distributor shaft; and

means for fixedly connecting the other end of said flexible shaft to said shaft means.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3, 906 917 DATED September 23, 1975 INVENTOR( I DANIEL C. LORTI it is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

INVENTOR: DANIEL c. LORTI, 4121 Salacia Dr.

Irvine, California 92714 Signed and Scaled this RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oflalems and Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTNO. 3,906,917

DATED September 23, 1975 lN\/ ENTOR(S) I DANIEL C. LOR'I'I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

INVENTOR: DANIEL C. LORTI, 4121 Salacia Dr.-

Irvine, California 92714 Signed and Scaled tie RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofiarenls and Trademarks 

1. An adaptive mechanism for implementing the adjustment of an ignition system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of spark plug ignited combustion chambers by operatively disposing the distributor cap and rotor from the distributor shaft and ignition coil breaker points comprising: a plate having an opening therein; attaching means for removably securing said plate in fixed relationship to said distributor cap about the entrance thereto; shaft means rotatably mounted to said plate within said opening therein, one end of said shaft means being removably coupled to said distributor rotor in fixed relationship therewith; and coupling means for fixedly interconnecting said shaft means to said distributor shaft for synchronous rotation therewith.
 2. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, further comprising kilovoltage and distributor rotor position indication means electrically coupled To said distributor rotor for indicating the position of said distributor rotor at the time when the breaker points are opened.
 3. The adaptive mechanism of claim 2, wherein said indication means comprises at least three glow lamps depending from said plate, each of said lamps having at least one electrical conductor extending therefrom towards said distributor cap, said conductor disposed in an arcuate plane in substantial parallelism with said arcuate locus generated by the end of said distributor rotor during rotation thereof, each of said conductors being adjacently disposed in spaced-apart relationship to one of the spark receiving electrodes of said distributor cap, two of said three conductors being laterally displaced from and disposed on opposite sides of said spark-receiving electrode, beyond the range of sufficient electrical communication therewith such that when said spark-receiving electrode receives an electrical spark from said distributor rotor said two lamps are not caused to glow, and the other of said three conductors being disposed intermediate said other conductors and said spark-receiving electrode within the range of sufficient electrical communication therewith such that when said spark-receiving electrode receives an electrical spark from said distributor rotor a sufficient amount of electrical energy is also simultaneously communicated to said intermediately disposed conductors to cause said lamp to glow.
 4. The adaptive mechanism of claim 3, further comprising a rotor member fixedly mounted to said shaft means intermediate said plate and said distributor rotor in substantial radial alignment with said distributor rotor, said rotor member having an electrical conductor thereon in electrical communication with the electrical conductor of said distributor rotor, one end of said electrical conductor extending beyond the unmounted end of said rotor member in substantially perpendicular relationship to said end of said rotor member, said rotor member being nearly equal in length to said distributor rotor so that arcuate plane formed by the locus generated by said conductor disposed at the unmounted end of said rotor member during said rotor member''s rotation is substantially parallel to said arcuate plane in which said lamp conductors lie.
 5. The adaptive mechanism of claim 3, wherein the second conductors of said lamps are electrically connected to said plate.
 6. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, wherein said shaft means comprises: a cylindrically shaped rod; and an annular radially-extending shoulder disposed intermediate the ends of said rod, the rim of said shoulder being rotatably mounted to said plate within said opening therein, to form a turntable.
 7. The adaptive mechanism of claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprises: a flexible shaft; means for fixedly connecting one end of said flexible shaft to said distributor shaft; and means for fixedly connecting the other end of said flexible shaft to said shaft means. 